asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement regarding the destruction of potatoes which occurred in a public act of vandalism watched by police at Dundalk Quay on Tuesday, 10 May 1983.
Written Answers. - Destruction of Potatoes.
63.
Limerick East): In a situation such as arose at George's Quay, Dundalk, on 10 May 1983, or indeed in any other situation where there is a need for the deployment of gardaí, the way in which the gardaí on duty are deployed is a matter for the judgment of the officers in charge of the Garda operation, based on their training and experience.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, in view of the impending importation, a number of special measures were taken on that day. Based on previous experience, the gardaí had no reason to expect that any protest at the importation in question would be other than peaceful or that large numbers would be involved. In the event about 400 persons took part in an angry protest which included the destruction of potatoes. The Garda considered that it would have been highly dangerous to attempt to remove protesters forcibly having regard to the particular circumstances. They also considered that the sending in of a large force of gardaí would not have been a solution to the problem.
I am further informed that Garda inquiries about the incident are continuing.